Data roaming in the USA: Which is the best network for roaming in the USA?

What is data roaming in the USA?

Data roaming in the USA is a mobile data service that allows you to use your phone outside of your home network. Your regular cellular plan covers calls and texts within a specific country or region, but when you leave that area, international roaming kicks in. Data roaming takes advantage of partnerships between your local carrier and international providers to let you connect to a foreign network and keep using your mobile device while you’re traveling.

Pros of data roaming 

Data roaming is one of the easiest ways to stay connected while traveling internationally. The pros of data roaming include:

• Simplicity. With roaming, you don’t have to switch carriers or buy a new SIM card. Your roaming plan will automatically kick in once you cross the border.

• Continued service. You can continue to call and text international and local numbers.

• Data access. You can easily access mobile data for navigating, surfing the web, and using apps.

Cons of data roaming 

While using roaming in the US is easy, that convenience comes with some serious drawbacks:

• Cost. Roaming in the US can be expensive, with rates varying depending on your carrier and your mobile plan.

• Data allowances. Data roaming plans often have limits, and you’ll be charged extra fees if you exceed your set data allowances. If you don’t understand what uses data on your cell phone, you could be left with a surprisingly high bill.

• Carrier limitations. You’re limited to the single American mobile carrier with which your home provider has an agreement.

• Inconsistency. Data speeds and coverage can be inconsistent, depending on your new location.

Simply put, data roaming isn’t typically the cheapest or even the most effective way to use your smartphone while you’re in the US. To understand how to save money on travel, it’s important to research all your options.

Overview of networks for roaming in the USA  

What will roaming in the USA look like for you as a visitor? In this section, we’ve highlighted several major international carriers, primarily from English-speaking countries like the UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, that offer roaming in the US. While these examples provide a useful comparison, many other mobile networks around the world also offer US roaming options, so it’s worth checking with your local provider for specific rates and availability.

O2

O2 is a popular UK-based mobile provider that offers roaming in the US. It has a variety of roaming options, including:

• The O2 Travel Inclusive Zone Bolt-On. If you have the O2 Travel Inclusive Zone Bolt-On or O2 Travel Inclusive Zone Ultimate Bolt-On, roaming in the US is already included in your plan. You can use your mobile device at no extra cost, although your data speeds are still subject to O2’s Fair Use Policy.

• The O2 Travel Bolt-On. O2’s Travel Bolt-On option offers unlimited calls, texts, and data for £7 (US$8.70) per day.

• Data-only bundles. If you’re not worried about making calls or texts, you can buy a data-only roaming bundle. O2’s data-only plans include 1 GB for £6 (US$7.45), 3 GB for £13 (US$16.15), and 5 GB for £18 (US$22.35). Use a data usage calculator to determine the best plan for your needs.

• Standard rates. If you don’t buy any of O2’s roaming plans, you can still make and receive calls at a rate of £3 (US$3.75) per minute and send texts for £1 (US$1.25) per message.

Because O2 offers a variety of flexible options, it’s one of the best UK networks for roaming in the USA.

Vodafone

Vodafone is another UK cellular company that offers US roaming to its customers, with three ways to connect to data in the US:

• Global roaming plan. If you have Vodafone’s Global Roaming monthly plan, US roaming is already included in your plan at no extra cost (up to 25 GB).

• Monthly plans. If you don’t have the Global Roaming Plan, you can still access roaming in the US at rates ranging from £6–£7.36 (US$7.45–$9.15) per day for unlimited calls, texts, and up to 25 GB of data.

• Pay as you go. If you have a pay-as-you-go plan with Vodafone, you can roam in the US at premium rates: £0.60 (US$0.75) per minute for making calls, £0.36 (US$0.45) per minute for receiving calls, £0.08 (US$0.10) per text message, £0.66 (US$0.82) per picture message, and £0.12 (US$0.15) per MB of data. 

Telstra 

Telstra is one of Australia’s top telecommunications companies. Telstra offers two US data roaming options: international day passes or prepaid roaming packs. Telstra's international day pass includes unlimited voice and text to standard international numbers and 2 GB of data for AUS$5-10 (US$3.30–6.60) per day. 

For prepaid international roaming packs, Telstra customers have three options.

• 3 days: 400 MB of data, 15 texts, and 15 minutes (AUS$10 or US$6.60)

• 7 days: 2 GB of data, 25 texts, and 25 minutes (AUS$15 or US$9.90)

• 14 days: 4 GB of data, 50 texts, and 50 minutes (AUS$25 or US$16.50) 

Rogers 

Canadian mobile provider Rogers Wireless offers multiple prepaid US roaming plans.

• Day pass: CA$16/day (US$11.80/day)

• 14 days: CA$60 (US$44.25)

• 30 days: CA$70 (US$51.60)

If you don’t buy a prepaid roaming plan, you can also use Rogers’ pay-as-you-go service:

• CA$1.45/minute (US$1.10/minute)

• CA$0.75/text (US$0.57/text)

• CA$12.00/50 MB of data (US$8.85/50 MB)

Spark

New Zealand telecommunications provider Spark offers two roaming plans for the US.

• 14-day call, text, and data: 300 inbound minutes, 300 outbound minutes, 300 texts, and 2 GB of data (NZ$30 or US$18)

• 14-day data only: 2 GB of data (NZ$25 or US$15) 

Which provider is best for international roaming?

It’s hard to name a single best provider for international roaming, since the right choice often depends on your home country and mobile carrier. For example, O2 offers a wide range of international data plans, including Bolt-On options, data-only bundles, and pay-as-you-go rates, making it a strong option if you're based in the UK. But if you’re looking to use your phone overseas without roaming charges, there are other alternatives that may be a better fit depending on your location.

Options to stay connected in the USA to avoid roaming charges

Let’s explore your other options for staying connected in the USA while avoiding roaming charges.

Use Wi-Fi

Using Wi-Fi may feel like the simplest, most cost-effective option for connecting to the internet in the US, but it has some big downsides. For example, public Wi-Fi can leave you vulnerable to cybercriminals. 

Use pocket Wi-Fi

Pocket Wi-Fi works similarly to a hotspot. It works through a small, portable device that generates a personal mobile network. Pocket Wi-Fi providers in the US partner with major mobile networks, like T-Mobile or Verizon, to give you access to data through the device. However, pocket Wi-Fi devices must be charged, so you have to plan ahead if you want to use the internet. Also, you have to rent your pocket Wi-Fi device from a provider, and if you lose or damage it, you could run into high fees.

Use a local SIM card

Local SIM cards allow your phone to connect to a local network. To use a local SIM in the US, you have to buy a physical prepaid or pay-as-you-go SIM card from a local American mobile provider like T-Mobile, Verizon, or AT&T. Then, you replace your home carrier’s SIM with the US SIM card.

Use an eSIM for the USA 

An eSIM is a virtual alternative to physical SIM cards. eSIMs use technology built into most modern smartphones and allow your device to connect to a new carrier without a physical SIM card. 

In the eSIM vs. physical SIM debate, eSIMs come out on top!

Is there a better option than roaming in the USA? 

Roaming in the USA is expensive, and you definitely have better options:

• Wi-Fi. Wi-Fi is often free, but it presents security risks, and it can be hard to find when you need it.

• Pocket Wi-Fi. Pocket Wi-Fi seems convenient, but the necessity of charging the device and the high rental and replacement fees may not be worth it for you.

• Local SIM cards. Local SIM cards are a cost-effective way to access cellular data, but they also present extra hassle and risk.

• An eSIM. An eSIM for the USA can give you consistent access to high-speed data for a reasonable price.

When you weigh all the benefits of an eSIM against your other options, an eSIM is easily the top choice for staying connected in the US.

Best eSIM providers in the USA 

An eSIM is your best option for accessing data in the US, but how do you get one? Let’s take a look at the best eSIM providers in the USA:

• T-Mobile. T-Mobile is the largest telecommunications company in the US, and it offers multiple prepaid eSIM plans. However, T-Mobile’s eSIMs are mostly geared towards US residents, so it doesn’t offer any short-term packages. Instead, you’ll have to buy a monthly eSIM plan starting at US$40/month for 15 GB of data and unlimited talk and text. That means that a T-Mobile eSIM is most useful for extended vacations or work trips and international students.

• Verizon. Verizon is another major American mobile provider. However, Verizon’s prepaid eSIM plans have the same drawbacks as T-Mobile’s: It’s a monthly eSIM designed more with American customers in mind than travelers, starting at US$45/month.

• Holafly. Holafly is a tourist-centric eSIM company that provides travel eSIMs in multiple countries, including the US. While Holafly offers multiple plans for a variety of trip lengths (from 1-90 days), it’s generally a more expensive option than other eSIMs, with its costliest plan coming in at US$139.90.

• Saily. Saily is widely considered one of the best eSIM providers in the USA. Built by the trusted team behind NordVPN, Saily is a secure and cost-effective way to access data during your trip to the US. Saily offers competitive data plans for tourists in the US for a variety of trip lengths and data needs, including short-term, 30-day, and unlimited options. All you have to do is buy the right plan for you, install the Saily app, and activate your eSIM. Saily’s eSIM app provides reliable, high-speed data access, starting at just US$3.99 for 7 days! 

If you’re looking for a cost-effective, flexible, and secure way to stay connected in the US, Saily is your top choice. Download the Saily eSIM app to make the most of your vacation!